Can we speak things into existence? Decree and declare? One such verse seems to support this hypothesis:
Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.Job 22:28-29 KJV
What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways. When people are brought low and you say, ‘Lift them up!’ then he will save the downcast.Job 22:28-29 NIV
Those from a New Age bias will latch onto this verse to backup their claims that we can speak things into existence.
This is Eliphaz the Temanite (aka Word Faith preacher) speaking to Job. But in fact, his speeches were "declared" by God to be wrong:
[God] said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has" (Job 42:7-8)
So in fact, this is an example of man's way of thinking, that if we just do the right things, God will bless us. In fact, the truth is that there is much more complexity to it. So this example is an example that speaks directly against such teaching! "YOU HAVE NOT SPOKEN THE TRUTH ABOUT ME", the Lord says! (Job 42:8)
In fact, Eliphaz says the very things Word Faith adherents say, accusing Job of sin. He tells Job of a spirit he saw and then heard, saying nobody could be right before God (Job 4:12-21). He describes how God is faithful to his people and just—frustrating evil (5:8-16). Just obey God and you'll be blessed! This simplistic way of looking at things is not...the truth (42:8).
This is a clash of worldviews:
|
Area |
Word Faith |
Evangelical Charismatic |
|
Where power is located |
In the tongue |
In God's tongue |
|
Goal/purpose |
To be prosperous, righteous and good |
To glorify God even in the midst of suffering, by hoping in God despite circumstances |
|
How we know what to do |
Do what is good, and you will receive what is good. Since you do evil, you will receive evil (karma) |
We base our lives on the Bible, and what the Spirit says, and accept what comes as God's will for the better |
Eliphaz, full of faith and zeal acknowledges that God reproves (5:17) but then binds up, heals (5:18), and delivers (5:19). But as the days goes by and no recourse is found, Eliphaz the Word Faith preacher doubles down on his belief that Job must have a secret sin. By chapter 15, he thinks that Job no longer fears God (15:4), and is a sinner (15:5), unwise (15:7-10), corrupt (5:16), a wicked man (5:20), and godless (5:34). This is where Word Faith counseling can become dangerous.
Job rightly retorts that his friends are "miserable comforters" (16:2). He is humble before God (Job 16-17) but their simplistic understanding does not allow them to see it. So they condemn him.
Instead of adopting Eliphaz's understanding, which is already condemned as wrong by God himself, we need to approach the Bible from a different worldview. One that is resilient enough to deal with suffering, since it is present in so many of those around us—despite their faith. Those who don't want to do that will continue to be miserable comforters, ostracising many faithful believers in the process.